The DHI-NVR4208-8P-AI/ANZ is an advanced 8-channel NVR from Dahua’s WizSense AI series, delivering powerful features like Face Recognition, Perimeter Protection, and SMD Plus directly from the NVR — no AI cameras required. Designed for SMBs, this recorder includes 8 PoE ports, support for up to 16MP resolution, and 2 HDD bays for extensive storage.
Key Features
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Built-in AI (No AI Camera Required)
1-ch Face Recognition, 2-ch Perimeter Protection, and 4-ch SMD Plus handled directly on the NVR.
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Full 8-Port PoE Switch
Simplify installation with built-in power for up to 8 IP cameras (25.5W per port, 72W total).
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Supports AI by Camera
Connect Dahua AI cameras for additional analytics like ANPR, People Counting, and Heat Mapping.
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AI Smart Search
Quickly locate footage using face snapshots, metadata, or human/vehicle detection.
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Quick Pick
Rapidly filter recorded events for vehicles or people with a few clicks.
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Ultra-HD Output
4K HDMI + Full HD VGA simultaneous output.
Perfect For:
- Small retail or office deployments requiring advanced AI alerts
- Environments needing face and perimeter analytics without AI camera costs
- Smart setups with only a few high-traffic zones
- Projects requiring up to 8 cameras powered via a built-in PoE switch
Install Tips
- Ideal for small-scale sites needing AI alerts without extra camera cost
- Best used when all 8 channels are PoE-fed from local network closet
- Use Quick Pick and AI Smart Search to eliminate time-consuming footage review
- Enable Perimeter AI on two key entry zones for real-time intrusion alerts
- Add AI-capable cameras later for expanding smart features (e.g. ANPR at gates)
Downloads
Quick-Read Specs Card
| Spec |
Detail |
| Channels |
8 IP Camera Inputs |
| PoE Ports |
8 × 10/100 Mbps (IEEE 802.3af/at) |
| AI by NVR |
1-ch Face Recognition, 2-ch Perimeter, 4-ch SMD Plus |
| AI by Camera |
Face/Perimeter, SMD, ANPR, People Counting, Heat Map |
| Face DB Capacity |
10 DBs, 20,000 images, 2.5GB storage |
| Resolution Support |
Up to 16MP |
| Decoding |
8 × 1080p @ 30 fps (or 16 × 1080p in non-AI mode) |
| Smart Search |
Search by face metadata, person, vehicle |
| Storage |
2 × SATA ports, up to 32TB (16TB each) |
| Display Outputs |
1 HDMI (4K), 1 VGA |
Extra Info
AI Processing by NVR (No AI Cameras Needed)
One of the standout features of the DHI-NVR4208-8P-AI/ANZ is its built-in AI processing capabilities, which means you don’t need to invest in expensive AI-enabled cameras to benefit from advanced intelligent functions. The NVR itself performs AI analytics on the incoming video streams, providing enhanced security and operational insights directly from the recorder.
Face Recognition
- Supports 1 channel of face recognition processing at a high rate of up to 12 images per second, allowing the system to quickly detect, capture, and compare faces in real-time.
- The system can store and manage a database of up to 20,000 face images, enabling effective identification or verification for access control, visitor management, or suspect tracking.
- This functionality is ideal for secure entry points, employee attendance verification, and public safety monitoring.
Perimeter Protection
- Provides AI-driven perimeter intrusion detection on 2 channels, with the ability to define virtual tripwire and intrusion zones.
- The AI filtering technology dramatically reduces false alarms by distinguishing between humans, vehicles, and irrelevant movements such as animals, leaves, or shadows.
- This makes it perfect for protecting restricted areas such as warehouses, parking lots, and fenced compounds, ensuring alerts are accurate and actionable.
SMD Plus (Smart Motion Detection Plus)
- Supports 4 channels of smart motion detection with human and vehicle classification.
- Unlike traditional motion detection that triggers alarms on any movement, SMD Plus filters events to highlight only relevant objects like people and cars.
- This helps security operators prioritize alerts, optimize response times, and reduce unnecessary notifications from environmental noise like falling leaves or weather changes.
AI Processing by Compatible Cameras (Enhanced Capabilities)
When paired with compatible Dahua AI IP cameras, the system’s intelligence extends significantly, leveraging the camera’s onboard AI processors to unlock additional specialized features:
ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)
- The system reads vehicle license plates in real-time and supports customizable allow/block lists.
- This is essential for automated gate control, parking management, and security monitoring of vehicle access in facilities such as residential communities, corporate campuses, and toll booths.
- The ANPR feature can log vehicle entries and exits, generate reports, and trigger alarms for unauthorized vehicles.
People Counting
- Offers real-time counting of people entering and exiting designated areas, providing accurate foot traffic analytics.
- This data helps businesses optimize staff allocation, improve customer service, and analyze visitor patterns for retail stores, museums, airports, and event venues.
- The system supports both inbound and outbound counting, giving detailed insights into crowd flow and density.
Heat Mapping
- Visualizes areas of high and low traffic density using color-coded heat maps, generated from movement data collected by cameras.
- These heat maps allow businesses to understand customer behavior and optimize store layouts, product placement, and staffing schedules.
- Heat mapping is also valuable for urban planning, crowd management, and public safety by identifying congestion points and movement trends.
Stereo Analysis
- Enables advanced scene interpretation such as fall detection, fighting, and loitering alerts by analyzing spatial and behavioral cues.
- This helps security teams respond quickly to emergencies or suspicious activities in sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools, and public transportation hubs.
- By detecting abnormal behavior, the system enhances proactive safety measures and incident prevention.
Q&A
Q: Is this NVR compatible with third-party cameras?
A: Yes — it supports ONVIF-compliant brands like Axis, Panasonic, Samsung, etc.
Q: Can I run AI without smart cameras?
A: Yes — it has built-in AI that supports face recognition, SMD Plus, and perimeter protection.
Q: How many AI channels does it support by default?
A: 1-ch Face Recognition, 2-ch Perimeter, and 4-ch SMD Plus.
Q: Does it support 4K video output?
A: Yes — via HDMI up to 3840×2160.
Q: What’s the max storage capacity?
A: Up to 32TB across two 16TB SATA drives.
Q: Does it support license plate recognition?
A: Yes — when paired with ANPR-capable Dahua cameras.
Q: Is it good for a small retail store?
A: Absolutely — AI filtering reduces false alerts and helps quickly locate important events.
